Irish Water is launching a public information campaign in which homes and businesses in Donegal will be receiving letters relating to their water quality.
Individual booklets will be issued to properties in seven areas of Donegal on the public water network where there are issues with the drinking water quality and work required to improve supplies.
The affected schemes in Donegal all have issues with elevated levels of THMs and some have issues with cryptosporidium or high turbidity.
The seven areas are: Cashilard, Creeslough, Glenties-Ardara, Greencastle, Owenteskna-Kilcar, Letterkenny and Milford-Letterkenny public water supplies.
Irish Water has said that customers should note that water is still safe to drink on these schemes.
In the letters, home and business owners will be sent details of the following water supply upgrade works in specific areas of the county:
- In Cashilard where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs, Irish Water will be changing the supply so in future customers will be supplied from the Ballyshannon Public Water Scheme. These works are due to be complete by early 2020. In the meantime they are installing additional treatment at the Cashilard water treatment plant. This is currently scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018.
- In Creeslough where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs and ineffective barriers against cryptosporidium, Irish Water is carrying out upgrade works at the water treatment plant. These works are scheduled to be complete by early 2019.
- In Glenties-Ardara where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs and ineffective barriers against cryptosporidium, Irish Water is carrying out upgrade works at the water treatment plant. These works are scheduled to be complete by early 2019.
- In Greencastle, where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs and high turbidity in the water, Irish Water will be changing the supply so in future customers will be supplied from the East Inishowen Public Water Scheme. These works are scheduled to be complete by early 2019.
- In Owenteskna-Kilcar, where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs and ineffective barriers against cryptosporidium, Irish Water has just completed the construction of a new water treatment plant at Owenteskna. A programme of sampling and testing has commenced in this supply to measure the improvements this new treatment plant has made to the drinking water. These works are expected to be complete by the end of 2018.
- In Letterkenny, where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs and ineffective barriers against cryptosporidium, the treatment plant is being upgraded and these works are due to be completed by mid-2019.
- In Milford-Letterkenny, where there are issues with elevated levels of THMs, the treatment plant is being upgraded and these works are due to be completed by mid-2019.
In the past, Irish Water only contacted homes and businesses if there was a problem with their drinking water supply that was likely to cause an immediate risk to health.
This new direct communication method is being made in accordance with the recent Water Services Policy Statement 2018-2025 calling for better engagement and greater transparency for people using public water supplies.
Almost 140,000 homes and businesses nationwide will receive a letter and booklet with information on their specific water supply zone over the coming weeks. 366,000 people are affected.
Speaking about the public information campaign, Irish Water’s Water Compliance Specialist Dr Pat O’Sullivan said:
“Irish Water has worked closely with the EPA to identify the public water schemes that need a plan or action to improve their water treatment. We are prioritising our investment in these treatment plants. Providing safe, clean drinking water for all in Co Donegal is our first goal.
“Everyone we are writing to in Donegal has access to drinking water that is safe to drink. We monitor and test our supplies on a continuous basis and if this monitoring indicates a potential water quality issue we consult with the HSE.
“If there is any potential risk to public health from the drinking water supply we inform the public immediately. If anyone has any questions or concerns they should contact Irish Water.”
